Former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu has been dealt another blow after the High Court dismissed his latest attempt to overturn a 12-year prison sentence. Lady Justice Lucy Njuguna upheld the February 2025 judgment that convicted him of corruption, ruling that the punishment was lawful and must stand unless overturned on appeal.
Why Did the High Court Reject Waititu’s Application?
Justice Njuguna maintained that the KSh 53.5 million fine or custodial term was legally sound. She further directed that Waititu’s appeal be concluded within 120 days, cautioning that any deliberate delays from the convict could lead to the case being struck out. The former governor had argued that the sentence was excessive, but the court sided with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who had opposed his application.
Since failing to raise the fine, Waititu has been serving time at Kamiti Maximum Prison. His case will next be mentioned in court on October 1.
How Did Waititu End Up in Prison?
Waititu’s troubles began with a 2017 probe by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) into a KSh 588 million road construction tender awarded to Testimony Enterprises Ltd. Investigators uncovered irregularities, including inflated costs and forged academic papers. The inquiry established that Waititu and his associates benefited financially from the flawed contract.
Court records showed that he received KSh 25.6 million through his company, while his wife, Susan Wangari, pocketed KSh 7.2 million through their hotel business. The former County Chief Officer for Roads, Luka Waihinya, was convicted of abuse of office for improperly awarding the tender. Testimony Enterprises directors Charles Chege and Beth Wangeci were also found guilty of fraud, having irregularly acquired KSh 147 million from the county.
In September 2023, the Anti-Corruption Court ruled that Waititu had a case to answer, leading to his February 2025 conviction on multiple counts including conflict of interest, abuse of office, and money laundering. His failed appeal marks a major win for the DPP as Waititu remains behind bars.
Outside the courtroom, Waititu also cut political ties with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), accusing the party of dishonesty and misleading him. His exit from politics, combined with his prison term, signals a dramatic fall from grace for a once-powerful county boss.
By Lucky Anyanje
